Can Ayurvedic Treatments Help Dark Under-Eye Circles?

by
CAROL SARAO Last Updated: Oct 30, 2013

Carol Sarao

Carol Sarao is an entertainment and lifestyle writer whose articles have appeared in Atlantic City Weekly, The Women's Newspaper of Princeton, and New Millennium Writings. She has interviewed and reviewed many national recording acts, among them Everclear, Live, and Alice Cooper, and received her Master of Fine Arts degree in writing from Warren Wilson College.

You can use cucumber juice on dark under eye circles.Photo Credit cucumber image by Zbigniew Nowak from <a href="http://www.fotolia.com">Fotolia.com</a>

Dark under eye circles can result from lack of sleep, allergies, sun exposure, fluid retention and aging, which thins the skin under the eyes. Heredity can also play a role. Ayurveda, which translates to "the science of life," is an ancient healing system that originated in India. You can use ayurveda methods to try to reduce the appearance of dark under eye circles. Before trying the treatments, apply a small amount to the inside of your arm 24 hours before use to make sure you aren't allergic

Crushed Vatadha Paste

You can use almonds--ayurvedically known as vatadha-- to reduce the appearance of under eye circles. According to Ayurvedic Herbal Remedy, you can mix 1 tbsp. of crushed almonds with enough whole, fresh milk to make a paste. Apply to the under eye area and leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. The Himilaya Health Care website describes almond as containing tocopherols, or vitamin E, as well as being beneficial to skin and having demulcent, or soothing, properties.

Cucumber Juice

Cucumber juice, ayurvedically known as kheera, is believed to be tridoshic, meaning it balances all three doshas, or elements of the body and mind. Ayurvedic Remedies recommends dipping cotton pads in fresh, chilled cucumber juice, and placing them over your eyes for 15 minutes. According to Herbs 2000, cucumber juice is a natural diuretic, and is beneficial and cooling to the skin.

Cleansing the Lymph

According to Dr. John Douillard, director of Lifespa, an ayurvedic rejuvenation center in Boulder, Colorado, dark under eye circles can be a result of a congested lymph system. Dr. Douillard recommends sipping hot water every 15 minutes throughout the day to stimulate lymphatic drainage, and undergoing a 70 percent alkaline to 30 percent acid diet to flush the system. Dr. Douillard also advises taking 500 to 2000mg of triphala--an herbal supplement made of three types of Indian fruits--in order to avoid constipation and to further cleanse your body.

Tapping

Help for under eye circles may be right at your fingertips. According to Dr. Savitha Suri, an ayurvedic practitioner since 1989, you can tap lightly under your eyes with the pads of your fingers to stimulate circulation to the area.

Masoor Dal Paste

Put a mixture of natural herbs and juices to work on dark under eye circles. Ayushveda advises mixing 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. tomato juice, 1 tsp. of orange lentil flour--ayurvedically known as masoor dal-- and a pinch of haldi, or turmeric powder, then applying to the under eye area. Leave it on 15 minutes and wash off with cool water.

Ayurvedic Exercise

According to ayushveda.com, a simple facial exercise may help reduce dark circles under your eyes. Place the index and middle fingers of both hands just above your eyebrows, and gently lift them up, then return to the normal position. Repeat 10 to 15 times once per day.

Pressure on Palm

An intriguing remedy recommended by ayushveda.com is to press gently on the pad of flesh below your index finger for 10 minutes to reduce dark under eye circles.

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